Hi all! I was diagnosed with AF in May and given Edoxaban and Flecainide. I have noticed my hair is shedding a lot and am thinking it could be the blood thinner. Has anyone else experienced this?
hair thinning : Hi all! I was... - Atrial Fibrillati...
hair thinning
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Tibbiegirl
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Ive taken Apixaban since 2015 and not experienced any problems but being a bloke of 76, my hair is probably now receding for a variety of different reasons. There have been some comments about it but really not that many. I also took a small daily maintenance dose of Flecainide for around a year so I really can’t say but hopefully some of the female members might be able to help.
Tibbiegirl• in reply to
Thank you for your reply. I’m having a blood test next week to see if anything else could be the cause. Very worrying. I too take a maintenance dose of flecainide.
It's good that you are having blood work done because it is possible that your thyroid levels are off balance which definitely can cause hair loss more than the usual 100 hairs to fall out.
it is the flecainide, I am having the same problem with Sotalol, kind of the last straw of side effects
That’s so interesting. I started taking Edoxaban in January ( after AFib diagnosis) and my regular hairdresser commented on my hair being ‘thinner’ when I saw her a couple of weeks back. I put it down to the stressful year I’ve had but now you have me wonderinf. Will be interesting to hear what others say. I started also taking Flecainide in September so probs too soon to blame it on Flecainide
Thank you for your reply. I particularly notice it when washing my hair. It’s really alarming and I’m now really worried 😞
I notice mine more when I’m drying it and loads of it comes out on my brush. Cross fingers they find what’s causing it and hopefully it’s not the blood thinners
BobDVolunteer
It does seem that for some females anticoagulants can bring on some hair thinning. I've been on warfarin now for 19 years with zero hair issues but have noticed brittle nails.
Unfortunately yes it is the anti coagulation that is the likely cause. I have been on Apixaban and Flecanide ( both as pip and maintenance dose) for several years. It does seem to shed in cycles, slows down for a while then sheds again. I have noticed this last year it is not as much as before so hopefully it reaches a natural end.
I found dry shampoo was far better than wet.
I too have the same problem. I am currently on Dabigatran which I have found to be the worst for hair loss. Have to stick with it for now because it’s the only one that I can tolerate, but only at the lower dose.
Over 10 years I have taken all of the anticoagulants, including warfarin and have the same problem with all of them.
I am hoping to get off the dabigatran a few months after having a mini maze op.
We are all different, so maybe ask your doctor to change you to Apixaban. You never know it may be ok for you. Not everyone has hair loss with these drugs, just us unlucky ones.
Thank you all for your replies. I’m going to speak to doc to maybe try a different one.
Since I started Apixaban 10 years ago my hair has been breaking very badly.
The only 'solution' I've found is never to use heated rollers or hot brushes, don't rub with a towel just wrap the wet hair in a towel for 10 minutes and use a heat protection spray with the hairdryer on low. It still breaks but is less of a snowstorm than previously. A very short hairstyle would be the answer but it's not for me!
I honestly think we just have to put up with it - and it think it is a side effect of anti-coagulants.
Yes, same here. Apixaban and Flec for 6 years or so. I have thinner hair,and it breaks, also in cycles it seems, I have loads of regrowth fluffiness in the mirror all the time. My hairdresser calls it baby hair. Very annoying. Also, I have always had a wavy cowlick at the front, it used to be easily tameable, but now is out of control, and very ugly, I exercise (sweat) a lot, and that makes the cowlick wave even worse. I have resorted to having keratin (Brazilian) blow drys which requires straightener use, so I'm sure I'm making it worse, but I cannot face cutting my hair short yet! That does calm down the baby hair blizzard too. I suppose one day I'll just have to act my age and have the appropriate style that my contemporaries sport, but I'm clinging to my lilac long hair for now. I have taken Biotin supplements in the past, they do work, but the baby hair situation is then worse, as you get so much regrowth very quickly and constantly. I know I'll have to get the chop one day, but I'm clinging on.
Portrait picture.
Your hair looks beautiful!
Thank you, it's half what it was, though. And getting more so the longer I take the drugs. Hey ho, it is what it is, sometimes I look in the mirror and think it's time for a pixie cut (but I'm far too hefty for that) 😬 Here is me before meds about 6 years ago so you can see the contrast, and what the side effects have been. But as I'm rapidly approaching the big 70, I'll have to give in sooner or later...I was always lucky to have thick hair you could do anything to. However, I'm so grateful for my wonderful life and don't let Afib stop me doing anything I want to, if I lose the lot I'll buy a wig and carry on regardless!
Colour portrait
Oh that is gorgeous but you still look great. I’m 73 but still care very much about my hair. It’s a woman’s crowning glory isn’t it!
👍👍👍
I love your hair! You are so beautiful!
🥰 thank you, that’s a nice thing to say.
Hello, my hair is the same but for me it’s bisoprolol and flecainide that’s the cause, more so bisoprolol I think.
I started on Apixaban beginning of January and changed to Edoxaban beginning of August, in the last couple of months I have noticed my hair becoming significantly thinner which I am very concerned about, also it is dry. I am female. Also, my ophthalmologist has prescribed me eye drops because my eyes are very dry too. Has anyone else had a similar problem with dry eyes, it could be coincidental.
Can I ask why you had to change your blood thinner?
I was changed from Apixaban to Edoxaban because I had low blood pressure and felt tired and lightheaded. It took month before BP normalise so not entirely sure if it was the change in anticoagulant or something else. Several months ago while in Apixaban my systolic Bp was regularly under 90, now only rarely that low . Mostly systolic is over100. Diastolic has been consistently in 50s or 60s.
My optician said (very politely) that my dry-eye is the result of ageing - my husband has it too. He uses Hylo-tear natural tears and I use Viscotears and both seem to help.
Yes, I think that is most likely and the fact I have recently had cataract surgery in both eyes. I am a 66 year old female.
Mine started after I had cataract surgery too - well worth it to be able to see, even with the dry-eye!
Definitely 👍
I am finding Hylo night works really well. I even use a little in the day when eyes are really bad. I use hylo-forte drops during the day normally. Sorry, I know this is a AF forum not a dry eye forum.
I had it for a while after my cataracts were pulverized, but it seems to have settled down now.
I same as flapjack. Hair shedding greyer sand thinning. No big worry when your 77
In my early 30s I suffered from Alopecia due to stress and wore a wig for 18 years. As my situation improved I started taking Zinc and Vit C at night. Eventually my hair grew back. I've found since being on the various medications my hair was thinning so I've gone back on the tablets. Hair back to normal but I'll continue with the tabs. My cardiologist is aware and has no issues. I'm on Edoxaban, Atorvastatin, Nebivolol, Dapa, Entresto, Digoxin and Spironolactone. HTH
Thank you for that info. Is the zinc in tablet form also? I presume they are just over the counter vitamins 🤔
Yes it's in tablet form, I buy the combined zinc and vit C. You need the C for absorption of the zinc. I get mine in the SM. Sainsbury's Tesco or Superdrug. They work best when not taken with anything else which is why I take them at night. I think they take a while to work so I'd give them a couple of months especially as they're not too expensive
Thank you so much. I’ll see what my blood test turns up and then get them.
I had a lot of hair shedding when on noacs. It's better now I'm only on Sotalol, but I still seem to go through cycles of losing a fair bit. I've also noticed much more "baby hair" around the temples.
My hair has got thinner since all the medication and usual anti coagulants etc, but then I did have a brain tumour and head shaved etc
The only thing I can offer is that when I had a blood test it was found I was very lacking in zinc and also anaemic. My GP put me on a course of zinc and it did improve my hair
If zinc test not on the bloods to check perhaps you could ask
Good luck
Hi Tibbie, please check my previous posts for similar question and lots more wonderful answers and help! I’m now on Apixaban rather than Edoxaban (no other meds) and the problem does seem less. I’m pleased to say that since posting I have not lost all my hair! 👩🦰
I will. Thank you
I am on apixaban and my hair has thinned considerably 😔
I’d been taking Apixaban for some time, along with Flecainide, no problems. Then was changed to Edoxaban. Hair loss! Now changed back to Apixaban so hoping the hair will thicken up again…….
I have had the very same experience! Apixaban and Flecainide have done it for me. The hair loss in the shower is significant and I see my scalp through on the top of my head. Have not had regrown as of yet but am hopeful. Am very thankful for the Flecainide because it stopped the AFIB. Had a little hair loss on the anticoagulant and calcium blocker but when Flecainide was added it really increased. This has been since May this year. All I can say is you’re not alone in this!! I have gone to my naturopathic Doctor and he has suggested Collagen along with Biotin….so we’ll see if that helps. Best of luck!
My mother had a PE last July 2022 and was put on Apixaban… her hair thinned and her nails became brittle and broke.. I suspect this causes lower zinc keratin and collagen… the building blocks for healthy hair skin and nails… seems reasonable to assume a recent drug regime being followed by a knock on effect share some causality.
Hi Tibbiegirl, my sisters hair really thinned out on apixoban , i wonder with all the nutrients needed for hair growth that anticoagulants may somehow may dilute those nutrients or interract somehow.
I went, reluctantly, on Apixaban in April 2020, at the standard dose of 5mg twice daily, following slowly increasing paroxysmal AF episodes. By August/September 2020 I was beginning to lose my hair.
I found this very upsetting, especially as the nurse at my annual check was dismissive. I did some research and found a study which concluded (although the sample was not huge) that of the DOACs, Edoxaban had the least effect on hair, so I asked my GP to be changed to that drug. He agreed and I began Edoxaban in February 2023. My hair has continued to fall out at the same rate. The only advantage with Edoxaban seems to be is that it is a once daily dose.
I am female, 73 and in good active health otherwise. I take no other medication and have no other health conditions. From having thick, wavy hair I now have visibly thinner curly, frizzy hair and a receding hairline. My conclusion is that it has to be the anticoagulant, which seems to somehow affect the follicles.
My other conclusions are that the medical profession a) are sceptical about anticoagulants causing hair loss and b) do not see drug-induced hair loss, especially in women, as a serious matter, despite the great distress and despair it causes.
Yes, I know anticoagulants are essential, and I have only fleetingly considered stopping them, but when you are dealing with a health condition which is depressing in itself, losing your hair is a real kick in the teeth for women, and disastrous for self-image and confidence. We are just supposed to be grateful and not complain.
I wonder if there are men out there who lose hair only when taking anticoagulants. It is obviously more difficult to be sure because many men lose their hair naturally anyway.
I do wonder if there is a hormonal connection. I do wonder, also, how much, if any, attention drug developers pay to potential hair loss in women, not just in respect of anticoagulants. There are many other drugs which have the same effect. Perhaps it is just seen as a trade-off. Also I guess the fact that apparently only a proportion of women are affected in this way gets them off the hook.
I hope those of you in the UK who have begun to lose hair because of any drug have reported this through the Yellow Card scheme: yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ This is a good way to get our voices heard. As well as, of course, telling our GPs.
I agree with everything you say Seahouse. It is devastating and the hair loss is causing so much stress it only aggravates our condition. I don’t know in my case if it’s the Edoxaban or the Flecainide because I’ve seen posts from women who have had it from both drugs. I’m thinking of going back to my consultant privately and see what he says.
Hi
I have had AF for years, and medication for it for it: I didn't notice any loss of hair. On the other hand I am also diabetic type two, and was put on Metformin; it worked well, but I began noticing a whole lot of symptoms, not least the hair loss; handfuls of it, every day. (Other symptoms were tiredness, brain fog, incontinence, loss of balance and major mental confusion). I started to read up about it, and discovered that Metformin robs your body of Vitamin B12. I bought some B-complex pills, took them, and many of my symptoms began to go away or be less troublesome. One day I noticed a faint fuss on the back of my arms - it was my arm-hairs re-growing and I hadn't even noticed that they had gone. I nearly cried. then after inspecting the rest of my body I could see reduced hair pretty much everywhere; all the other symptoms are receding but I think it might be a long slog. BTW it's not much use asking your doctor about it, they know nothing about nutrition. There is a lot of information on You Tube about Metformin; check it out.
Female, age 75, also under active thyroid since about 1980. slightly overweight. Chocolate lover.
A study reported that 4.2% of patients treated with apixaban experienced anemia. Anemia can be related to hair loss over an extended period of time. Hair loss for both warfarin and heparin is already noted in medical studies, but these two medications have been around for decades. The DOACs may still have a way to go in drug trials with regard to hair loss especially for women.
Hi Tibbigirl, I used to be on flecainide and apixiban and noticed that I was losing a lot of hair and that is was thinning rapidly. In 2022 I had an ablation and am not only on apixiban and not more hair issues. I'm sure it was the flecainide. Best of luck on your AF journey. 😊
I started to have hair loss on Apixaban which became even worse on Edoxaban. After reading that anticoagulants can cause a lowering of zinc , I asked my GP for a blood test, the results showed I was low in zinc. I have been prescribed a zinc supplement and they will repeat blood test in 1 month. Too early to tell if it is having a positive reaction on my hair growth. I will post again in a few months time.
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